Euphorbia plant named ‘NOTHOWLEE’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Euphorbia  named ‘NOTHOWLEE’ that is distinguished by a compact clumping growth habit, dark purple foliage, and terminal cymes that open into bronze floral heads that completely cover the plant from May through summer. In combination, these characteristics provide a long period of garden interest and set ‘NOTHOWLEE’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Euphorbia  known to the inventor.

Genus: Euphorbia. Species: characias×martinii.

Denomination: ‘NOTHOWLEE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofEuphorbia, a hardy perennial that is grown for use as an ornamentallandscape plant. The new invention will be referred to hereinafter bythe cultivar name ‘NOTHOWLEE’.

‘NOTHOWLEE’ was discovered by the inventors in April 2002 in Woodbridge,Suffolk, England. The inventors first observed ‘NOTHOWLEE’ as anaturally occurring single whole plant which was found by the inventorsto be growing within a commercial crop of the variety of Euphorbia named‘Charam’ U.S. Plant patent application Pending, Ser. No. 09/944,932,filed Aug. 31, 2001). The inventors observed that the foliage of‘NOTHOWLEE’ was strikingly different from the foliage of the surroundingplants of ‘Charam’. The foliage of ‘NOTHOWLEE’ is predominantly darkpurple in coloration whereas the foliage of ‘Charam’ is the typical midgreen for the species and hybrids of Euphorbia martinii and Euphorbiacharacias.

The inventors removed ‘NOTHOWLEE’ from the crop of ‘Charam’ andcontinued to observe ‘NOTHOWLEE’ as it came into flower. The flowerswhich take the form of terminal cymes appear first as a bronze canopywhich complements the dark purple foliage.

The closest comparison plant to ‘NOTHOWLEE’ known to the inventors isthe parent variety, ‘Charam’. Whereas ‘NOTHOWLEE’ has similar growthhabit to ‘Charam’, the colors of the foliage of ‘NOTHOWLEE’ and ‘Charam’are dark purple and mid green respectively; and the colors of theinflorescence of ‘NOTHOWLEE’ and ‘Charam’ are bronze and yellowrespectively.

The first asexual reproduction of ‘NOTHOWLEE’ was accomplished by theinventors using the method of tip cuttings and was carried out in June2002 in Woodbridge, Suffolk England. The inventors determined that theplants that grew from this first asexual reproduction appeared to beidentical to the original single plant of ‘NOTHOWLEE’. Subsequentgenerations which have been propagated similarly have confirmed to theinventors that ‘NOTHOWLEE’ is a stable variety which reproduces true totype.

The inventors have filed an application for a grant of EuropeanCommunity Plant Breeders Rights, serial number 2004/0626, filed Mar. 30,2004.

The first public sale or distribution of plants of ‘NOTHOWLEE’ tookplace on Apr. 6, 2005 in Woodbridge, Suffolk, England.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of ‘NOTHOWLEE’. These traits incombination distinguish ‘NOTHOWLEE’ from all other existing varieties ofEuphorbia. ‘NOTHOWLEE’ has not been tested under all possible conditionsand phenotypic differences may be observed with variations inenvironmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without anyvariance in genotype.

-   -   1. Euphorbia ‘NOTHOWLEE’ exhibits a compact clumping growth        habit.    -   2. Euphorbia ‘NOTHOWLEE’ exhibits terminal cymes which open        bronze in March and develop a complete canopy by April remains        through to July.    -   3. Euphorbia ‘NOTHOWLEE’ is evergreen in USDA zones 7 and higher        and offers a long period of garden interest.    -   4. Euphorbia ‘NOTHOWLEE’ is a complete ‘hummock’ of flower color        when in full bloom.    -   5. Euphorbia ‘NOTHOWLEE’ is hardy to minus 12° Centigrade.    -   6. Euphorbia ‘NOTHOWLEE’ is 70 cm. in height and 70 cm. in width        at maturity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the distinguishing traits of thenew cultivar ‘NOTHOWLEE’. The drawings have been made from photographswhich were taken in spring and summer using plants that were 12-15months old from a cutting.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 1 depicts a single whole plant of‘NOTHOWLEE’ which has been planted outside in Woodbridge, Suffolk,England. The illustrated plant is approximately 14 months old and is inits early flowering stage. This drawing depicts the compact moundinghabit of ‘NOTHOWLEE’ and its dark purple foliage and bronze coloredinflorescence.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 2 illustrates both ‘NOTHOWLEE’ and itsparent ‘Charam’ as one year old plants in the open ground. ‘NOTHOWLEE’appears as a single plant in the upper left of the drawing. ‘Charam’appears as two plants, one in the foreground and one in the upper rightof the drawing. Both varieties are shown with their characteristiccanopy of flower by mid summer. The drawing illustrates the comparativecolorations of the inflorescence, that of ‘NOTHOWLEE’ being bronze; thatof ‘Charam’ being yellow-green.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 3 presents a close-up view of the new springfoliage growth of ‘NOTHOWLEE’, at approximately 12 months from theinitial cutting and before the initiation of any flower.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 4 presents a close-up view of theinflorescence of ‘NOTHOWLEE’ as it appears in mid summer when theinflorescence canopy is fully developed.

The drawings have been made from photographs taken by conventionalphotographic techniques and although flower and foliage colors in thephotographs may appear different from actual colors due to lightreflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventionalphotography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new Euphorbiacultivar ‘NOTHOWLEE’. Observations, measurements, values and comparisonshave been collected in spring in Woodbridge, Suffolk, England fromplants that were three years old and grown out of doors in garden soil.Color determinations are made in accordance with the 2001 edition of TheRoyal Horticultural Society's Colour Chart, except where general colorterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growingrequirements of the new variety are similar to the species and there areno known growing problems, diseases or pests.

-   Botanical classification: Euphorbia ‘NOTHOWLEE’.-   Common name: Spurge.-   Parentage: Euphorbia ‘NOTHOWLEE’ is a naturally occurring whole    plant mutation of Euphorbia ‘Charam’. ‘Charam’ arose as a seedling    that resulted from the spontaneous hybridization of the following    parents:    -   -   Female parent of ‘Charam’.—Euphorbia characias sub            sp.wulfenii ‘Purple and Gold’.        -   Male parent of ‘Charam’.—Euphorbia martinii.-   Propagation method: Terminal stem cuttings.-   Rooting habit: Fibrous rooting habit.-   Time to develop roots: Approximately 2-3 weeks are required for    roots to develop on an initial cutting, and a further 2-3 months for    that cutting to produce a plug or liner suitable for potting into    finished containers.-   Crop time: Approximately 6-8 months are required to develop a    finished one liter container from a rooted plug or liner.-   Growth habit: Upright, compact and clumping growth habit.-   Use: Ornamental landscape plant.-   Type: Perennial herb.-   Vigor: Vigorous.-   Height of plant: 50-70 cm. in height.-   Width of plant: 50-70 cm. in width.-   Sexuality: ‘NOTHOWLEE’ is assumed to be monoecious with rudimentary    stamens that mature after the female parts.-   Cultural requirements: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil.-   Hardiness: Hardy to minus 12° Centigrade.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—Upright.        -   Trunk dimensions.—2 cm. in diameter and 3 cm. from soil            level to first branching.        -   Stem color.—Mostly 59A with streaks of 144A.        -   Stem shape.—Cylindrical to columnar.        -   Stem width.—0.75 cm. in diameter.        -   Stem length.—30 cm. in length.        -   Internode length.—0.50 cm. between nodes.        -   Stem surface.—Mostly smooth with some pubescence. Basal            surface to mid-stem is heavily covered with bundle scars.            Some terminal stem surfaces are rugose.        -   Bundle scars.—Present on stem surface.        -   Shape of bundle scars.—Linear shaped.        -   Dimensions of bundle scars.—3 mm. in length and 1 mm. in            width.        -   Color of bundle scars.—199D.        -   Quantity of bundle scars.—Numerous amounting to            approximately 42 on a 20 cm. long stem.        -   Stem texture.—Fleshy and flexible.        -   Color of pubescence.—198D.        -   Other.—Plant parts exude a white milky sap that can be toxic            and can elicit dermal irritation.-   Foliage:    -   -   Type.—Evergreen.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Whorled.        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Leaf shape.—Oblanceolate to spatulate.        -   Mature leaf length.—9 cm. in length.        -   Mature leaf width.—1 cm. in width.        -   Young leaf length.—2.5 cm. in length.        -   Young leaf width.—0.75 cm. in width.        -   Internode length.—1 cm. between nodes.        -   Leaf apex.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf base.—Truncate.        -   Quantity of leaves.—Numerous amounting to approximately 25            leaves on a 7 cm. long stem.        -   Leaf venation pattern.—Pinnate pattern with a barely visible            mid-vein on the adaxial surface and a prominent protruding            mid-vein on the abaxial surface.        -   Vein color (adaxial surface).—137B.        -   Vein color (abaxial surface).—138B.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Leaf surface (abaxial surface).—Pubescent.        -   Leaf surface (adaxial surface).—Sparsely puberulent.        -   Color of pubescence.—198D.        -   Leaf attachment.—Sessile.        -   Mature leaf color (adaxial surface).—136B tinged with N79A.        -   Mature leaf color (abaxial surface).—138B tinged with N79A.        -   Young leaf color (adaxial surface).—Mostly N79B tinged with            137B.        -   Young leaf color (abaxial surface).—Mostly N79B with streaks            of 137C.-   Flower:    -   -   Inflorescence.—Terminal cyme.        -   Dimensions of inflorescence.—7 cm. in length and 4 cm. in            width.        -   Flowering season.—Late winter until late spring.        -   Peduncle dimensions.—15 cm in length and 2 mm. in width.        -   Peduncle color.—144A with tinge of 79A.        -   Peduncle surface.—Sparsely puberulent.        -   Pedicels lengths.—Approximately 5 mm for the shorter            pedicels and approximately 5 cm for the longer pedicels.        -   Color of pubescence.—198D.        -   Petals.—Apetalous.        -   Sepals.—Asepalous.        -   Floral leaf attachment.—Connate perfoliate.        -   Dimensions of floral leaves.—12 mm. in length and 2 cm. in            width.        -   Shape of floral leaf.—Closest to reniform.        -   Color of floral leaf.—143B with streaks of 59C.        -   Number of floral leaves.—Two in number.        -   Fused or unfused.—Basally fused.        -   Internode length.—5-6 cm. between nodes.        -   Number of cyathium.—Two cupped within the center of two            basally fused floral leaves.        -   Shape of cyathium.—Cupulate.        -   Number of floral leaves on each cyathium.—Two.        -   Fused or unfused.—Basally fused.        -   Shape of floral leaves on cyathia.—Closest to reniform.        -   Color of cyathium.—144C with streaks of 59C.        -   Dimensions of cyathium.—5 mm. in length and 6 mm. in width.        -   Nectary.—Four flattened glands on four fused bracts.        -   Shape of nectary.—Flattened crescent shaped glands with two            horns.        -   Dimensions of nectary.—6 mm in height and 6 mm. in diameter.        -   Color of mature nectary.—161B.        -   Color of young nectary.—154C.        -   Position of nectaries.—One green nectary in the center of            each cyathium and one yellow nectary axillary to the floral            leaf and basal to each pair of cyathia.        -   Lastingness of the inflorescence.—10-15 days on the plant.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Six rudimentary stamens that are visible with a            lens after the female parts have matured.        -   Stamen color.—200A.        -   Stamen dimensions.—Less than 0.25 mm. in length and less            than 0.25 mm. in diameter.        -   Anther shape.—Oval to round.        -   Anther color.—200A.        -   Ovary dimensions.—1.5 mm. in width and 1.5 mm. in length.        -   Shape of ovary.—Globose.        -   Position of ovary.—Superior.        -   Color of ovary.—143A.        -   Pollen.—Absent.        -   Pistil.—One in number.        -   Color of pistil.—143A.        -   Dimensions of pistil.—7 mm. length and less than 1 mm. in            width.        -   Style.—Three in number.        -   Style shape.—Bifid.        -   Style color.—143A.        -   Style dimensions.—Less than 1 mm. in width and 1 mm. in            height.        -   Stigma.—Six in number.        -   Stigma color.—59A.        -   Dimensions of stigma.—Less than 0.75 mm. in width and less            than 0.75 mm. in height.-   Seed: Seed has not been observed.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Euphorbia plant named ‘NOTHOWLEE’ asdescribed and illustrated.